Two set-up questions: when you get to the fishing site with your 2-or-3-piece rod, do you assemble the rod first and then mount the reel, or the other way around, i.e., mount the reel first and then assemble the rod? Second, when you're assembling a 2-or-3-piece rod, what is the best way to make sure the guides are aligned? Do you sight down the rod like a gun barrel, or do you hold the rod vertically in front of you and look at the guides from top to bottom? Many thanks, Evans

juro

02-28-2007, 09:45 PM

My rods are hardly ever without a reel on them. I may swap them, wash under the feet etc - but for the most part the reel is always on the rod so the reel goes first on the rod before assembly.

Putting the ferrules together - I push the ferrules on a little offline and twist them in line. Definitely easier to sight from fat to skinny. Here's a tip - put the smaller top sections together first, then put the assembly onto the bottom section so you don't have to reach.

A little pure paraffin wax once in a while makes them seat together better. If the ferrules are stuck on a hot day, put the rod in the cold water for a while and they will come apart easily.

Fold the line over to make it easier to thread the guides. Put the reel on a scratch-free surface like a log as you work up the rod. If you are fishing with a buddy it's customary to offer to lend a hand.

May beginner's luck be on your side.

Evans

03-01-2007, 11:54 AM

Juro--Many thanks for those tips!

Tin Pusher

03-03-2007, 06:51 PM

Which ever way you go assemble your rod, including a fly, before going out in a boat. Sections of rods sink quickly if there is no line running throught the guides. This is huge if you are fishing out of a float tube or pontoon boat.

teflon_jones

03-03-2007, 09:44 PM

My rods are hardly ever without a reel on them. I may swap them, wash under the feet etc - but for the most part the reel is always on the rod so the reel goes first on the rod before assembly.
Same here. In fact, I rarely pull the line down through the guides at all. Once I string the line through the guides, it'll stay there for most of the season. I actually haven't pulled the line out of my trout rod since I still go fishing in the winter. Most of the time I just crank all the line onto the reel so the fly is in the tip guide, then pull the rod apart and put the two sections together.

As for aligning the ferrules, even if the rod has alignment dots, I put it most of the way together and then sight down the guides like a rifle. I then tighten it the rest of the way once it's aligned.

Which ever way you go assemble your rod, including a fly, before going out in a boat. Sections of rods sink quickly if there is no line running throught the guides. This is huge if you are fishing out of a float tube or pontoon boat.This is a good point. There's also the fact that trying to rig a rod while you're in a float tube is pretty hard. Putting the pieces of the rod together is easy. It's getting the line up through the guides that's tough, especially towards the top. You'll end up having to stick one end of the rod in the water while you try and get the line up throught there.